The temperate and herbaceous genus Vicia L. is a member of the legume tribe Fabeae of the subfamily Papilionoideae. The genus Vicia comprises 166 annual or perennial species distributed mainly in Europe, Asia, and North America, but also extending to the temperate regions of South America and tropical Africa. The use of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for Vicia species has not been investigated as extensively as for other crop species. In this study, we assessed the potential for cross-species amplification of cDNA microsatellite markers developed from common vetch (Vicia sativa subsp. sativa). For cross-species amplification of the SSRs, amplification was carried out with genomic DNA isolated from two to eight accessions of 22 different Vicia species. For individual species or subspecies, the transferability rates ranged from 33% for V. ervilia to 82% for V. sativa subsp. nigra with an average rate of 52.0%. Because the rate of successful SSR marker amplification generally correlates with genetic distance, these SSR markers are potentially useful for analyzing genetic relationships between or within Vicia species.

Chloroplast (cp) genome sequences provide a valuable source for DNA barcoding. Molecular phylogenetic studies have concentrated on DNA sequencing of conserved gene loci. However, this approach is time consuming and more difficult to implement when gene organization differs among species. Here we report the complete re-sequencing of the cp genome of Capsicum pepper (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) using the Illumina platform. The total length of the cp genome is 156,817 bp with a 37.7% overall GC content. A pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 50,284 bp were separated by a small single copy (SSC; 18,948 bp) and a large single copy (LSC; 87,446 bp). The number of cp genes in C. annuum var. glabriusculum is the same as that in other Capsicum species. Variations in the lengths of LSC; SSC and IR regions were the main contributors to the size variation in the cp genome of this species. A total of 125 simple sequence repeat (SSR) and 48 insertions or deletions variants were found by sequence alignment of Capsicum cp genome. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation of cp genome evolution in Capsicum and other higher plants.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important staple food and economic crop in many countries. It is of critical importance to understand the genetic diversity and population structure for effective collection, conservation, and utilization of potato germplasm. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of potato germplasm conserved in the National Agrobiodiversity Center (NAC) of South Korea to provide basic data for future preservation and breeding of potato genetic resources. A total of 24 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 482 potato accessions. A total of 257 alleles were detected, with an average of 10.71 alleles per locus. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 97% of allelic diversity was attributed to individual accessions within the population, while only 3% was distributed among populations. Results of genetic structure analysis based on STRUCTURE and discriminant analysis of principal components revealed that 482 potato accessions could be divided into two main subpopulations. Accessions of subpopulation 1 mainly belonged to cultivars and breeding lines. Accessions of subpopulations 2 basically corresponded to wild relatives of potatoes. Results of this study provide useful information for potato improvement and conservation programs, although further studies are needed for a more accurate evaluation of genetic diversity and phenotypic traits of potatoes.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) is an important food crop widely cultivated in the world. In this study, nine chloroplast simple sequence repeat (cpSSR) markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity and relationships of 558 sweet potato accessions in the germplasm collection of the National Agrobiodiversity Center (NAC). Eight of the nine cpSSR showed polymorphisms, while Ibcp31 did not. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to four. In general, the Shannon index for each cpSSR ranged from 0.280 to 1.123 and the diversity indices and unbiased diversity ranged from 0.148 to 0.626, and 0.210 to 0.627, respectively. Results of the median-joining network showed 33 chlorotypes in 558 sweet potato accessions. In factor analysis, 558 sweet potato accessions were divided into four clusters, with clusters I and II composed only of the sweet potato accessions from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the USA. The results of this study confirmed that the genetic diversity of the female parents of sweet potato accessions conserved at the NAC is low and therefore more sweet potato accessions need to be collected. These results will help to establish an efficient management plan for sweet potato genetic germplasms at the NAC.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), commonly known as Korean or Asian ginseng, is a perennial herb native to Korea and China. There has been limited research effort to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of ginseng germplasm because of its growth habits. In the present study, genetic diversity and population structure of ginseng germplasm conserved in the National Agrobiodiversity Center (NAC) of South Korea were analyzed to provide basic data for future preservation and breeding of ginseng genetic resources. Seventeen simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 1109 ginseng accessions. Among 1109 ginseng accessions, 1042 (94.0%) accessions were landraces and 66 (6.0%) accessions were breeding lines (61 accessions, 5.5%) or cultivars (5 accessions, 0.5%). SSR markers revealed 56 different alleles with an average of 3.29 alleles per locus. The average gene diversity was 0.49. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 91% of allelic diversity was attributed to individual accessions within clusters while only 9% was distributed among clusters. Using discriminant analysis of principal components, 12 clusters were detected in 1109 ginseng accessions. The results of this study provide molecular evidence for the narrow genetic base of ginseng germplasm in NAC. For the broad understanding and efficient use of ginseng germplasm, it is necessary to analyze functional factors and to evaluate morphological traits.

Genome editing has emerged as a powerful tool for accelerating crop improvement in horticultural crops by enabling precise modifications to their genetic makeup. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the applications, methodologies, and potential impacts of genome editing in horticulture. The review focuses on three major genome editing tools in horticulture, CRISPR-Cas9, TALENs, and ZFNs. The underlying mechanisms, applications, and potential challenges associated with each tool are discussed in detail. CRISPR-Cas9, being a versatile and widely used system, has the potential to enhance traits such as disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, nutritional content, and yield in horticultural crops. TALENs and ZFNs, although less commonly used, offer alternative options for targeted DNA modifications, and have demonstrated success in specific applications. We emphasize the potential benefits of genome editing in horticulture, including improved crop productivity, quality, and nutritional value. However, challenges such as off-target effects, delivery methods, and regulatory frameworks need to be addressed for the full realization of this technology’s potential. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders, providing insights into the opportunities and complexities associated with harnessing genome editing for enhanced traits in horticultural crops. By navigating these challenges, genome editing can contribute to sustainable advancements in horticulture, benefiting both producers and consumers worldwide.